Women's Volleyball Picks Up Two More Wins

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo Women's Volleyball team (19-1) extended their winning streak to 12 games after picking up two more wins over the weekend at their home triangular. The V-Hawks beat Lincoln Christian University 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-15) and #9 Northwestern University 3-1 (25-17, 25-18, 28-30, 25-15).

Game One:

In set one, the Red Lions were able to go point-for-point with the V-Hawks early, but a strong serving run from Martina McGrath (FR/Richfield, Wis.) gave Viterbo all the separation they needed to take control of the set. After the service run from McGrath, the V-Hawks were up 17-10, and only allowed four more points before an ace from Abbey Johnson (JR/Brodhead, Wis.) sealed the set one victory.

After starting set two down 0-2, a kill from Lauryn Sobasky (SR/Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) sparked the V-Hawks back into action. Back-to-back service runs of more than six points allowed the V-Hawks to coast to the finish line, capped with three straight V-Hawk kills to end it.

The V-Hawks never trailed in set three, kicking off the set with a kill from Mariah Calkins (SR/Sun Prairie, Wis.). Viterbo never allowed a run of more than two points in the set and was able to secure the set and match on a kill from McGrath.

The V-Hawks dominated in every category, holding the Red Lions to only 14 kills in the entire match compared to 42 from Viterbo. The V-Hawks also out-aced the Red Lions 15-3 and had 46 digs compared to 36 for Lincoln Christian. The V-Hawks were led in kills by Cassidy Spies (SO/Fort Atkinson, Wis.) with 12, followed by Kenzie Winker (JR/Holmen, Wis.) with 10. Kenidi McCabe (FR/Decorah, Iowa) led with 12 digs while Sobasky contributed a double-double with 10 digs and 19 assists. Abbey Johnson also collected a career-high six aces while adding 13 assists.

Game Two:

The V-Hawks began set one right where they left off from the first match of the day. After starting set one up 3-0, the V-Hawks only allowed one run from Northwestern of more than two points, allowing them to build a lead. Up 22-16, a kill from Miah Garant (SR/Fort Atkinson, Wis.) sparked a three-point run for Viterbo, closing the set 25-17.

Viterbo was able to build another lead early in set two behind a strong serving run from Cassidy Spies. However, Northwestern battled and evened the score to 10-10. After a Viterbo timeout, the V-Hawks came out strong and built a five-point lead which was enough to carry them to the set two victory, sealed with back-to-back kills from Winker and Grace Rohde (SO/Winona, Minn.) to end it.

Set three was a battle from the beginning. Northwestern started out the set up 4-1, but the V-Hawks were able to bring it back to even at 6-6. From there, the V-Hawks would go up 15-10, marking the largest lead of the set from either team. The Red Raiders roared back, however, going on a 9-2 run to take the lead, 19-17. Back-to-back kills from Katie Frohmader (SR/Fort Atkinson, Wis.) tied the game back up at 19 and from there the teams traded points until Northwestern was able to close the set, 30-28.

The V-Hawks seemed to be back to their usual play in set four, again using a big service run from Johnson to build a six-point lead that they never looked back on. The V-Hawks outscored the Red Raiders 9-5 to close out the set and match.

Viterbo hit an impressive .278% with 60 kills compared to Northwestern's .171% and 42 kills. The V-Hawks also racked up nine service aces compared to Northwestern's three. Viterbo had three players with double-digit kills, led by Winker with 17. Maya Roberts (SR/Watertown, Wis.) and Frohmader followed with 11 kills each. Johnson dished out a season-high 35 assists while Adrianna Reinhart (SR/Caledonia, Minn.) led with 11 digs.

The V-Hawks will be back in action on Friday night as they resume NSAA play at Dickinson State University. First serve is schedule for 7:00 PM CST. Follow the action on our website or by following us on social media.